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OPINION - OUR VIEWS

Snell, Hokr, Day And Summers Would Be Good Choices For City Duties

Today The Lake Sentinel offers recommendations in three elections scheduled for Tuesday in Mount Dora, Lady Lake and Fruitland Park.

Mount Dora

Mount Dora is a gem of a town. Jim Snell, who worked 29 years for the city and ended his career as public works director, helped polish every corner of it.

After retiring, Mr. Snell continued to serve the town as a city council member. He deserves re-election.

The city's waterfront park, nature walk, recreation areas and library all are in great shape, thanks to the guidance of Mr. Snell and his colleagues.

In 1994, the town's tax rate was cut to $6.18 per $1,000 of taxable property and remains unchanged.

Mr. Snell and his colleagues wisely have chosen to provide sewer and water service to an area just over the Orange County line near Tangerine. The arrangement gives them an important say over density, lot size and zoning in the neighboring town to the south.

Mr. Snell's opponent, Fay Brooks Williams, served 11 years on the City Council and was vice mayor for two years.

She, too, has valuable experience. But it's hard to understand why she is running against Mr. Snell.

''I love Jim,'' she said. ''He has done a great job.''

There you have it.

For the at-large council seat in Mount Dora, The Lake Sentinel recommends Jim Snell.

Lady Lake

Just a few years ago, Lady Lake was a small dot on the map between Fruitland Park and Ocala. There was little government business to worry about.

Then came Orange Blossom Gardens, which evolved into The Villages.

Boom!

Between 1990 and 1996, the town's population grew 53.4 percent and a vigorous business corridor sprang up.

The Villages, with numerous business links positioned to tap into its growing residential population, soon will transform Lady Lake into the most populous town in the county.

Thanks to leaders like Lee Hokr of Ward 5, who is running for a fifth term on the City Commission, Lady Lake is in good shape.

It's hard to find a lower tax rate in Lake County - $2.72 for every $1,000 of taxable property.

At the same time, an expanding tax base has made it possible for the city to build a badly needed town hall and police headquarters.

Old Dixie Highway, between U.S. Highway 27-441 and County Road 25, also will be refinished.

As if that wasn't enough, Mr. Hokr also is working with school officials to bring a much-needed community school to Lady Lake.

Mr. Hokr is doing a fine job. There is no reason he should not be returned to office.

His opponent, retired salesman Albert Bennett, never has held elective office and only wants to reduce taxes. That approach is too simplistic.

For Lady Lake City Commission, The Lake Sentinel recommends Lee Hokr.

Fruitland Park

There are four candidates running for two seats in Fruitland Park's elections, and the standout is Group 2 incumbent Greg Summers. During his three terms, he has worked to keep the tax rate at a low $3.39 per $1,000 of taxable property.

He helped to add more than 600 acres of development property to the city, expand water services for business growth and improve Gardenia Park.

In addition, he favors installing sewer services down the U.S. 27-441 commercial corridor, which is essential to the town's growth.

He also has kept his finger on the town's pulse, running unopposed for the last election. He picked up an opponent this year because the city had a fight with its fire department, a matter which now has been resolved.

The city's firefighters felt left out of decisions that affected them, so they quit and the city replaced them.

Mr. Summers' opponent, Sharon Kelly, who owns her own accounting firm, wants to bring back a key component of the old fire department - a first-response team that could get to an accident quickly to help victims before an ambulance arrives.

Mrs. Kelly also has been supportive of children's programs and her ideas are worth considering.

Mr. Summers, though, has done a very good, multifaceted job for Fruitland Park residents during his tenure. There is no reason to replace him.

The Group 1 race pits ex-mayor Joe Grubb, who has been a lightning rod for controversy, against Stephen Day, who does not offer voters many specific ideas.

Too bad voters don't have better choices in this race.

Mr. Grubb, despite service as a commissioner, mayor and city manager, is too hot to handle. His tenure was marked by one flap after another. Workers resigned. He fought with the city over expense reimbursement. He was fired from the manager's job.

There is nothing to suggest that time has softened his confrontational style.

That leaves Mr. Day, a retired government worker who now writes about sports for the Tri-County Sun. Mr. Day, who worked as a deputy clerk in Louisville, Ky., and has served on advisory boards here, does not pretend to be an expert in Fruitland Park's affairs. He does vow to study the town's needs and be as helpful as possible to constituents.

That's a good start.

In the Fruitland Park City Commission race, the Lake Sentinel recommends Stephen Day in Group 1 and Greg Summers in Group 2.